Gov. RIck Scott announces more than $40 million in sales from Colombia trip

Gov. Rick Scott announced this morning that an Enterprise Florida trade mission he led to Colombia in December now has netted actual and expected sales in excess of $40 million.

Scott’s eighth trip overseas led 190 people representing 116 Florida companies and organizations to the Colombian capital of Bogota to promote economic development opportunities.

During the trade mission, 28 companies participated in one-to-one business matchmaker meetings provided by Enterprise Florida where participants met with Colombian companies to expand business opportunities in the Sunshine State.

Colombia is Florida’s second largest South American trading partner, with more than $9 billion in bilateral trade. Florida also accounts for one-fourth of the total U.S. trade with Colombia, and 37 percent of U.S. exports to Colombia move through Florida. Colombia is also among the top five world markets for Florida-made goods. International trade and foreign investment combined are responsible for more than 1.4 million Florida jobs, or about 17.3 percent of the state’s employment.

In a release, Scott said, “Governor Scott said, “It is great news that mission sales are on track to exceed $40 million, and with the recent ratification of the Free Trade Agreements, I am confident Florida’s economic relationship with Colombia will continue to grow and benefit Florida families. Florida has an ideal location to trade with Latin American and beyond. We are committed to growing jobs for Florida families, and missions to international markets help us build relationships across the globe to create new jobs and opportunities in the Sunshine State.”

Scott will travel to Chile in May for a trade mission similar to the trip to Colombia. There are also plans in the works for a trip to the Paris Air Show later this year.